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Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.
On Wednesday Morning
Menaion - October 23
Memory of the Holy Apostle James (Iakovos), the Brother of God
__________
MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 4.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
As a disciple of the Lord, you accepted the Gospel, O James the Just. As a Martyr you have unchangeability; as the Brother of the Lord you have confidence; and you can intercede as a hierarch. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
O Mother of Christ our God, all-blameless Virgin most pure, * as Symeon told, a sword pierced through your all-holy soul * when you saw your Son and God * crucified by transgressors of His own will, O Lady. * Cease not to importune Him, * that He grant the forgiveness * of failings to us your servants, * O only most-blessed one. [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 10. Then the short litany.
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Octoechos - - -
For the Cross.
Mode pl. 4.
When the Robber saw the Author of life hanging on the Cross, he said, “If He who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hid its rays, nor would the earth have quaked and trembled. I pray You who endure everything, remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom.” [SD]
Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.
Mode pl. 4.
Between the two robbers, Your Cross was a balance of justice. One was weighed down to hell by the weight of his blasphemy, the other floated up from his sins to the knowledge of theology. O Christ God, glory to You. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the wisdom.
Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.
When the Ewe-lamb beheld hanging on the Cross * the Redeemer and Shepherd and Lamb of God, * she wept and she wailed with grief, * and she bitterly cried aloud, * “Now the world is receiving its redemption, and it leaps for joy; * whereas I see You crucified, and my heart burns inside of me. * In your tender mercy You endure crucifixion, * O God most benevolent, and long-suffering Lord of all.” Now with faith we pray to her, * “O Virgin, show compassion to us, * and forgiveness of offenses grant to us * who with faith duly honor your Son’s holy suffering.” [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 11. There is no litany, but immediately the following:
CHOIR
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
For the Cross.
Mode pl. 4. O Life of all, You rose.
Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.
A tree once blossomed death in the middle of Eden. * The tree in the middle of the earth has produced life. * Tasting from the former, * we the incorrupt became corruptible, * whereas with the latter * we have delighted in incorruptibility. * For Christ our God has saved the human race * by means of His divine Cross. [SD]
Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Τὸ προσταχθέν.
Of old the tree in the garden stripped us naked, * and by its taste did the enemy bring in death. * Now the tree of the Cross, which for all mankind is bearing * the garment of life, was planted upon the earth, * and therefore is all the world filled with every joy. * As we see it exalted now, let us, O peoples, cry aloud * together unto God in faith: * Full of glory is Your house, O Lord. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Τὸ προσταχθέν.
The Theotokos, standing by the Cross and weeping * and in a pitiable condition, uttered crying: * Son, Your Passion is truly beyond comprehension. * I cannot endure to be separated from * my own flesh and blood, nor see You upon a cross. * Overlook not Your handmaiden. Resurrect from the dead, * and glorify me crying out: * Glory be to You, most merciful One. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma III.
For the Cross.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Τὸ προσταχθέν.
The tree in Eden of old produced bitterness, * whereas the tree of the Cross has flowered sweet life. * For when Adam had eaten he slipped into corruption. * But we who enjoy the food of the flesh of Christ * are given new life and mystically deified, * and moreover do we receive the everlasting rule with God. * And therefore we cry out in faith: * Glory be to Your Passion, O Word. [SD]
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
For the Martyrs.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Τὸ προσταχθέν.
When they had deadened burning impulses and movements * of sinful passions by their self-control and virtue, * then the Martyrs of Christ were given the divine grace * of driving away the illnesses of the sick * and working wonders, alive and after their death. * Paradoxical miracle it is indeed, that naked bones * should pour out cures abundantly. * Glory be to our only God. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
Mode pl. 4. O Life of all, You rose.
Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.
The Ewe-lamb without spot saw the Lamb and the Shepherd * suspended on the Cross and she cried out and uttered: * What is it that I see now, * my Son, this strange and unhoped for spectacle? * How have You been convicted * as the mortals, being the Life of all? * Yet, on the third day, arise from the dead, * O Word of God, as You have said. [SD]
READER
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]
Kontakion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.
When God the Logos, as the only-begotten * of God the Father, came and sojourned among us * in latter days, O God-inspired Brother of the Lord, * He appointed you, O James, the first Shepherd and Teacher * of holy Jerusalem, and a trustworthy steward * of the all-holy sacraments. And hence, * O just Apostle, we honor your memory. [SD]
Oikos.
With hymns of praise we piously extol you, the son of Joseph and the first hierarch of Jerusalem, and we cry to you, O James the seer of God and Brother of the Lord: Give to us a perfect gift from the Father of lights, and drive away the coming and present tribulation brought on by our many sins; for the enemies have raised their heel against us, and Ishmaelites have surrounded us. Smash their arrows quickly, O Hierophant and Apostle, that we may honor your memory. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On October 23, we commemorate the holy Hieromartyr and Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord.
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.
Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας Δανιήλ.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Daniel shut the lions’ gaping mouths inside the den of old, by stretching out his hands. * The three young men overcame the force * of the furnace fire, having girt * themselves in virtue, for they loved * godliness, and were together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 4.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Heirmos. Mode 4.
Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.
A cornerstone was cut out without hands from a never-quarried mountain, * which prefigured you, holy Virgin. * The stone is Christ, who joined the disparate natures. * As we rejoice because of this, O Theotokos, we magnify you. [SD]
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Exaposteilarion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Even as foremost hierarch * of the New Testament Church, * a great Apostle, and a wise * interpreter of God’s will, * and of the truth a Witness, * you had more than all others * the illustrious dignity * of being the Lord’s own brother. And now to Him, * after you were stoned to death, you have passed on. * O James, entreat Him to forgive * all our sins and transgressions. [SD]
Theotokion.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
That great and terrifying day * of the Lord’s final Judgment * is standing at the threshold now. * Look, O my soul, be careful, * be also watchful; and hasten * to the Virgin and only * Mother of God wholeheartedly, * tearfully crying, “Pure one, deliver me * from eternal punishment, I beseech you; * and also put me with the sheep * of your Son on the right hand.” [SD]
Lauds. Mode 1.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Hide Stichologia
Stichera. For the Apostle.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Come now, O pious assembly, let us with joy observe * this sacred celebration, with exuberance shouting * and faithfully extolling the Brother of God, * in psalms and spiritual songs today. * He was a holy disciple of Christ the Lord, * and he ever prays that we be saved. [SD]
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Come now, O pious assembly, let us with joy observe * this sacred celebration, with exuberance shouting * and faithfully extolling the Brother of God, * in psalms and spiritual songs today. * He was a holy disciple of Christ the Lord, * and he ever prays that we be saved. [SD]
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
You were the Lord’s presumed brother when He appeared in the flesh, * O James the wise and righteous, His disciple and witness * of mysteries of God; * for together with Him you fled to Egypt as fugitives * along with Joseph and Jesus’ Mother pure. * All together pray that we be saved. [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
The sacred band of Apostles selected you to be * the first to serve as bishop in the city of Zion * for Christ the Benefactor; for when He was born * in the flesh, you were His presumed * brother, and traveled with Him and believed in Him, * and you followed in His steps, O James. [SD]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1.
Illumined by the fiery brightness of the divine Spirit, you were a godly zealot of true belief, O James the Brother of God. Therefore the Lord, who tenderly accepted you as a brother, vested you like Aaron of old, but with vestments more honorable than those belonging to the priesthood of the Law. O glorious Apostle, pray to Him, to save our souls. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1.
Since you accept the petitions of sinners and do not ignore the sighs of the afflicted, O all-holy Virgin, intercede with Him who came from your undefiled body, and entreat Him to save us. [SD]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.
Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
As a disciple of the Lord, you accepted the Gospel, O James the Just. As a Martyr you have unchangeability; as the Brother of the Lord you have confidence; and you can intercede as a hierarch. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]